Miramar Legion Team Feels Like A Winner

MIRAMAR -- American Legion baseball not only is back in the city, much to coach Carl Andrietta`s credit. It`s also a winner.

``We`re doing pretty well, and nobody is happier about that than me,`` said Andrietta, manager of the 9th District American Legion Miramar Post 253 team.

``When I started this thing last year, it was like banging my head up against a brick wall. The stinging never stopped.``

This year, Miramar`s opponents are sharing that stinging feeling. Post 253 was 7-5 through the weekend.

Andrietta, who lives in Miramar and has coached youth league baseball teams in Miramar and Hollywood for seven years, led Post 253 to a 6-16 record in 1985. The team was forced to contend with a late start, a lack of equipment, early-season confusion and no official uniforms.

But because Andrietta also coached baseball at Miramar High School, he was allowed to use the Patriots uniforms during the 1985 season.

``If not for that, we wouldn`t have had uniforms at all,`` he said. ``We would have played in T-shirts.``

Miramar now has two sets of uniforms.

``We didn`t have the money to travel last year,`` Andrietta said. ``We were lucky to have enough money for umpires and baseballs.``

But things are different this summer. Miramar is hot. It`s a team composed of sizzling players just ready to spark a championship inferno.

Despite losing its only two games in the annual preseason Pompano Beach tournament, Post 253 has shown solid pitching, a consistent defense and an explosive offense.

``It`s nice to be in a position where we can win some games,`` Andrietta said. ``I think we`re in a position this year to win our district. The attitude is different. We`re more confident.``

And that assessment is not without merit. Miramar is loaded with the kind of talent only 1985 state runner-up Pompano Beach used to have. Post 142 has won the 9th District postseason tournament all but once during the past eight years.

``Carl has been doing a great job since he got started last year,`` said 9th District commissioner John Keefe, who also manages Pompano Beach Post 142. ``We may not have a lot of (American Legion) teams in the county, but we do have talented ones.``

This year`s Miramar team has players from four Broward high schools: Cooper City, Miramar, Hollywood Hills and Chaminade. Only five players are back from last year.

Those returning Post 253 players are:

-- Jim Lucas, a Cooper City High junior left-handed pitcher. ``He is one of the top pitchers in Broward and he excels on the mound because of his variety of pitches,`` Andrietta said. ``His best is his breaking ball and changeup.``

-- Matt Contino, a Cooper City High junior who starts at first base. ``He`s an all-around player who is solid defensively,`` Andrietta said.

-- Frank Turco, a Cooper City High senior who is Miramar`s leadoff hitter. ``He excels because of his speed, and he does a lot for us on the bases,`` Andrietta said.

-- Jim Anterio, a former Miramar High player who is a relief pitcher. ``He has a super attitude, which allows him to help out in a lot of ways, including hitting,`` Andrietta said.

-- Rich Croud, a Chaminade High senior, who starts in center field. ``He led the district in hitting (.419) last year and he also is a versatile defender who drove in 24 runs and had 35 hits for us last summer,`` Andrietta said.

New players are:

-- Dom DeSantis, a Cooper City High junior, is the backup third baseman and one of three starting pitchers. ``He has a low earned-run average, and his best pitch is the fastball,`` Andrietta said.

-- Sam Rodriguez, a Indian River Community College freshman, is the starting catcher. ``He`s our cleanup batter who also hits for average, and who leads with his attitude and knowledge of the game,`` Andrietta said.

-- Bob Hernandez, a Hollywood Hills High senior, is the starting right fielder. ``Bobby can hit for average and power and drive in a lot of runs with his knowledge of the game,`` Andrietta said.

-- Paul Conover, a Cooper City High senior, starts at shortstop. ``He excels offensively -- he`s one of the league`s top five hitters -- and can play all positions almost equally well,`` Andrietta said.

-- Rob Diaco, a Miramar High senior, starts at third base. ``He has a strong arm and is a contact hitter who is a very strong third baseman,`` Andrietta said.

-- Scott Shapiro, a Cooper City sophomore, starts at second base. ``He made the team on sheer determination and now starts because of his attitude,`` Andrietta said.

-- Jim Barnwick, a Hollywood Hills High junior, is a backup infielder. ``He is an excellent defensive player,`` Andrietta said.

-- Tim Rochford, a Cooper City High senior, is an outfielder. ``He has a good attitude and works hard, even when he`s not doing well,`` Andrietta said.

-- Joe Martell, a Chaminade High junior, is the backup catcher. ``His best attribute is his strong arm,`` Andrietta said.

-- John Hanks, a Hollywood Hills junior, is a relief pitcher. ``His best stuff is his breaking ball and changeup,`` Andrietta said.

-- Steve Harvey, a Hollywood Hills senior, is a starting pitcher. ``He keeps the ball down and has an excellent slider that confuses batters,`` Andrietta said.

Assisting Andrietta this year are Dick Richards, formerly manager of the defunct Cooper City Post 321 team, and Len Anterio. Miramar plays its home games at Forzano Park, located at the corner of Pembroke Road and Douglas Road.